``I did a lot of reading on this organization`` said Brown. ``Early in my career, I used to come out to these things and found some organizations weren`t legitimate. I know what their goal is -- to end world hunger by the year 2,000. I think it`s great.``

End World Hunger Inc., a South Florida organization, was formed in 1981 as a relief and educational group that serves the community on a local, national and global level, said executive director Evelyn Golder

The money raised from Sunday`s run will benefit two local organizations, Oasis Food Gardens and the Broward County Handicapped Meals on Wheels program, Goldner said.

Oasis Food Gardens, a project started by the Fort Lauderdale Housing Authority, is designed to teach low-income families to grow food in their back yards.

The mobile meals program serves indigent, handicapped residents of the community by bringing food to their homes.

``End World Hunger has supported these organizations for several years now. They are among our favorite organizations,`` Golder said.

``There`s a hunger problem in Fort Lauderdale as well as globally. There are one billion people who go to bed hungry every night and some of them are right here in Fort Lauderdale.``

Golder said she hopes that $10,000 will be raised from the run but the amount will not be known for a few days. Funds were raised by a pre-registration fee of $5, raised to $7 on Sunday.

This race replaces the organization`s less popular Sports stars walk, said Golder, adding that the organization is planning for the 5K to be an annual event.

The race will be added to other fund-raising events sponsored by the organization, perhaps best known for its tennis festival featuring world-class tennis players in December.

Organizers said the race was a success, bringing more than the expected 300 to 500 participants.

``A lot of people are here not to win the race but to run for hunger,`` Golder said.

Other celebrities on hand to greet the runners included comedian Lonnie Shorr, who also has a home in Fort Lauderdale. ``I do what I can for an honorable cause,`` Shorr said.

Several businesses and corporations donated prizes to the winners, including Costa Cruises, which donated the grand prize of a seven-day Caribbean cruise.

People of all ages entered the race, which was promoted by the American Triathletes of South Florida.

Ida Mintz, 79, of Lauderhill, ran the race in 34 minutes.

``I think it`s a beautiful thing they did,`` she said. ``For a cause like this, I`ll run whether I get a prize or not.``